美食

Monday night I was to meet my girlfriend's cousin, in Beijing for a while before heading off to France, for dinner. She likes eating hotpot here and offered to take me to a place she likes - Xiabu Xiabu. It is a chain of hotpot restaurants here, we went to the Zhongguancun outlet, but there is apparently also one in Wudaokou.


The Sushi Train of hotpot.

Everyone is seated along long benches, with holes for the pots. Everyone gets their own hotpot. You are given a menu of different broths to base your hotpot on (we chose curry) and things to add. For those not familiar with Chinese hotpot, the traditional way is to have a big pot on a burner, and plates of raw ingredients, which you cook yourself in the pot. Much the same here, but a traditional hotpot would be shared with 4 or so people. One good thing about this is you know exactly what goes in it, so it's a good option for fussy eaters.


My hotpot, with a big plate of noodles and vegetables, dumplings, and on the left raw meat (beef I think).

It was great. The curry broth had a bit of a Thai flavour to it, which I wasn't expecting from hotpot in Beijing. The raw ingredients were fresh, and you have good control over the pot through an electric induction heater, rather than the usual gas flame. The only problem I had was how little service there was - which seems to be a near universal problem here, despite the vast availability of service people.

The next day was to be another of fine, interesting dining. Had lunch with the class at a Japanese restaurant in Wudaokou, which was very nice. Can't comment on the authenticity, but the Japanese students seemed happy with it. Unfortunately other people have all the photos and haven't shared yet.

Dinner was much more interesting. Alfonso and I were to meet Jingjing, who is leaving soon, for Quanjude roast duck. This is the most famous place for Beijing duck, first opened in 1864 with branches opening since then all over China. Apparently there is one in Melbourne as well. We went to the original restaurant on Qianmen street, a big, traditional-style establishment.


First course - duck wing in jelly, peas, radish, duck breast, prawn with green tea, and a duck shaped carrot slice.

It is a bit unusual to be given courses in series here, usually everything comes out at once. At Quanjude, you are served a number of dishes in order, like you would in traditional European cuisine. The first course was cold, and gave us a taste of the duck to come. It was served with shark fin soup, not visible in the picture.


More duck parts: Hearts on the left, breast and feet on the right. Mushrooms and asparagus in the background.

We were then served some more duck. Or some more parts of the same duck, it's hard to tell. We had a plate of duck hearts, and another of breast meat and duck feet (I didn't know they were duck feet until after eating them - it didn't surprise me).


The theme ingredient is... Duck!

After these, the main course came out - the whole duck. A chef sets up a little table next to yours and slices up your duck, as a waiter gives you the story of Quanjude, and a card verifying the authenticity of the duck (we had duck number 148147497). We were also served some "pancakes" to wrap the duck in, some very rich sauce, and onions. The chef provided slices of breast meat, and succulent, crispy pieces of skin. The skin is the most luxurious part and meant to be had on its own.


The remains of Number 148147497.

After some time wrapping duck (including a demonstration by a waiter showing how it's supposed to be done), we were served with some buns as an alternative way to enjoy the duck. We were also served with a milky soup, which was apparently made by reducing the bones of the duck over several hours. It was not bad, but not something I'd have again. Good way to use up the leftovers.


This was once what made a duck duck-shaped.

Dessert was served, all new things to me, but not really appetising. Unfortunately I've never liked Chinese sweets. The whole experience, though, was very enjoyable. I'd recommend it to anyone coming to Beijing interested in trying something new (and with plenty of money).

After leaving we walked around Qianmen street and the surrounding area for a bit. The lanes coming off Qianmen st have more of a Chinatown feel to them than a China feel - there are a few quite old buildings, and almost all sell strange souvenirs. After this we had to go back, and see Jingjing off - she will be leaving Beijing on Sunday.

I've been taking some videos, when I get a chance, I'll edit them down to reasonable sizes and put them up somewhere.